By Mubanga Mubanga
Health minister Sylvia Masebo says the government will today issue a ministerial statement on the suspected outbreak of Anthrax in Sinazongwe district which is linked to people eating infected animals.
Daily Revelation wrote a press query to Masebo to confirm three deaths linked to anthrax and that 11 other people were affected for eating infected meat.
The newspaper also wanted to find out what the ministry is doing to contain the situation.
In response to the query, Masebo said her permanent secretary had advised that a ministerial statement will be issued today.
“Thx for the important query. PS has advised that a ministerial statement will be issued on Wednesday. So wait for Wednesday,” Masebo said.
Last week, Gwembe Valley advocate Wynter Muvombo said the outbreak of suspected anthrax is on account of people eating meat from infected animals.
Speaking to Daily Revelation, Muvombo said the infection rate could be more widespread in the area than three death recorded thus far with 11 infections.
“In the first place, it started with animals, cattle and goats, so now it has come to human beings, we have lost three people already. Two have died in Muchekwa as a result of eating the meat, because as animals were dying, they were selling the meat of these animals. So due to consuming the same animals, it has resulted in anthrax to come into human contact and people have started developing sores. People have started dying in Muchekwa,” Muvombo said. “Suffice to say yesterday (last Thursday) 11 cases were reported in Malima, and when you look at the stretch between Muchekwa and Malima you are talking of one corner end of Sinazogwe to another corner of Sinazogwe. It means anthrax now could have spread across the district.”
Muvombo said when the disease first broke out, cattle and goats were the ones dying but it has now affected humans.
He also said others who had come into contact with animals were developing sores.
The advocate said the outbreak has been reported to Ministry of Livestock, Ministry of Health as well as Ministry of Local Government.
